Spring 2014 Graduate Scholar Award Winners

December 8, 2014

Golden Key’s scholarship recipients embody the pillars for which Golden Key stands and we are delighted to assist them in making their dreams a reality. The Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award supports members’ post-baccalaureate study at accredited universities anywhere in the world. It is our premier scholarship, awarding $10,000 USD to each recipient. We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Spring 2014 award.

The recipients (in no particular order) are:

Robert Sedam, The University of New Mexico, United States

David Knechtel, University of Alberta, Canada

Edna Smith, Walden University, United States

Shaun McCarthy, University of New Hampshire, United States

Steven Fencl, Ashford University, United States

Yolanda Silvera, Walden University, United States

Erasmus du Toit, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Erin HallisySmith, Walden University, United States

Sarah Appleby, The University of Waikato, New Zealand

Sui May Koh, University Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia

Congratulations to the winners!

Here’s what a few of the winners had to say upon receiving the award…

“I was absolutely amazed to be awarded the Graduate Scholar Award. Coming from a small school in New Zealand it is humbling to be recognised on an international scale. This assistance will help to support me through my master’s degree, allowing me to focus on the research and get as much out of it as I can. Thank you Golden Key for your support.” – Sarah Appleby

“Three years ago I went back to school to help make a better living for my family. I worked full time, took care of my family and went to school, working late into many nights to be the best I could be. I strived to set an example for my children to follow; to show them that with hard work and dedication they can accomplish their dreams. When the time of my completion of my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration drew near I was challenged to expand my thinking and become a school teacher to give back what has been given to me, a love for learning. This award from Golden Key is a great validation for my family and children that hard work can pay off. I am truly honored and humbled to be selected as a winner for the 2014 Graduate Scholar Scholarship Award-Spring Selection.” – Steven Fencl

“I am deeply humbled to be the recipient of the Graduate Scholar Award. As I reflect on this, I feel that this award is the culmination of twenty-five years of providing passionate, quality, patient and family centered healthcare. Receiving the Graduate Scholar Scholarship makes the confirmation of my purpose solid. And it would be remiss of me not to mention that this award relieves a financial burden as I pursue my Graduate and Doctorate degree at Walden University. Most importantly, receiving this great honor powerfully motivates me to educate, train, and prepare healthcare clinicians for the challenges they will encounter in all areas of healthcare.” – Edna Smith

Don’t forget to apply for our Fall 2014 Scholarships before the 1 October 2014 deadline!